Highfields School
Sixth Form Prospectus for the school year 2022-23
Biology Are you interested in: • • •
• •
Living things and how they work? The way in which scientists work? The contribution of science to modern society? Understanding medical developments in the media? The impact humans have on the environment?
Leading to a career in: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Medicine Dentistry Pharmacy Micro-biology Veterinary science Physiotherapy Genetics Bio-medical sciences Agricultural science Forensic science Midwifery Nursing Food science Environmental science Marine biology
What is Biology? Biology is the study of living organisms, how they function and how they interact with each other.
Course content This course has a great blend of topics. Some of which you will already be familiar with from GCSE such as the circulatory system and photosynthesis. Other topics are brand new, such as modern gene technologies including gene cloning, gene therapy and DNA fingerprinting. If you like GCSE biology, you will love A-level because you can really get to grips with each topic and make your understanding more complete. You will enjoy the balance between theory and practical lessons. The practical investigations will give you the chance to develop skills and consolidate your theoretical knowledge. There are 12 required practicals, six in Year 12 and six in Year 13. These are opportunities to demonstrate your improving competencies in practical work, so that you can achieve a pass in the practical component by the end of Year 13.
Assessment criteria Year 1: 2 x 1hr 30min written exam Year 2: 3 x 2hr written exam Assessment of practical skills will be by written exams only. 15% of the marks in the papers will relate to practical work.
Exam Board: AQA Course Code: 7402
“… I have found A level biology far more enjoyable than GCSE and not as impossible as I had imagined”
Teaching staff:
“… the field trip to Malham Tarn is one of the most fun things in the Sixth Form”
Mrs Stafford Mr Fairhurst Mrs Brailsford
This is a good school. Ofsted, May 2017 A good school with an outstanding Sixth Form. Ofsted, October 2012
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